Getting to Know... Petra Kvitova
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2741
At the start of 2008 Petra Kvitova was a 17-year-old girl ranked 150, with a
good record on the ITF Circuit and just one Tour match - a loss - to her
name. But this year the 6' Czech has been one of the big movers on the Sony
Ericsson WTA Tour. After reaching the quarters at Zürich, where she upset
Swiss world No.11 Patty Schynder, the now-18-year-old cracked the Top 50 on
October 20, at No.44.
Kvitova seems to thrive on tackling local favorites on their home turf. The
first headlines were made at Memphis in March when the young Czech stunned
Venus Williams in the opening round. It was only Kvitova's second main draw
match, and first against a Top 10 player; the feat warranted her first ever
press conference - Williams had never lost to such a lowly-ranked opponent -
and an excitable call home to her dad at 3am. "In the first set, I didn't
believe I could win," said Kvitova at the time. "I was very nervous. She is a
great champion. But then I started to believe." For her part, Williams
acknowledged Kvitova's powerful, well-placed serve had kept her off balance.
Then came a rousing win over Shahar Peer in the Fed Cup play-offs in Tel Aviv
in April, which helped the Czech Republic regain its place in the World
Group, and a run to the last 16 at the French Open, where Kvitova's victims
included No.12 seed Agnes Szavay. In the summer she reached her first Tour
quarterfinal at Budapest and gave Ana Ivanovic a real fright at Montréal.
The days of playing the qualifying rounds will soon be over, it seems.
If you could play against one player from the past, who would it be?
PK: Probably Justine Henin, or Martina Navratilova, who was my favorite when
I was growing up. Like me she is left-handed and she was also originally from
the Czech Republic. After I did well at Roland Garros this year I had a
chance to meet her and say 'hi', which was a thrill.
Obviously the Czechs have a fantastic tennis heritage, from Martina to Helena
Sukova and Jana Novotna. You're only 18, but do you think about what your
place in that history might one day be?
PK: To be the No.1 Czech is my dream, I would be very happy with that. Right
now I am No.3. Nicole [Vaidisova] is about 10 places above me and Iveta
Benesova just a few places. Iveta had a good week in Luxembourg so we'll see
what happens. That said, I think it's more important that I focus on
improving my game and not worry so much about the rankings. If you take
things match by match the results will come.
都沒注意到她已經很接近捷克一姐的位置了 ^^"
Among the current players on Tour, who would you most like the opportunity to
play?
PK: I would like to play Maria Sharapova. We're both tall and especially for
her height she is very quick around the court and she has a good serve. I
admire what she has achieved in her career.
What do you like most about life on the Tour?
PK: Winning tennis matches!
Do you have a favorite city? What do you do in your spare time?
PK: This has been my first full year on Tour and it has been great to go to
new places. I like Melbourne very much, it was my first time there this year.
It was nice and also hot - sometimes too hot! I like Miami as well. But
during tournaments I tend to just go to dinner, rest and practice in between
matches. Sometimes I will go to the cinema; I especially like comedies. At
home I practice at the same club as Tomas Berdych and Lucie Safarova. I am
good friends with Lukas Dlouhy, who plays on the ATP Tour… but he is not my
boyfriend!
最喜歡的城市是墨爾本和邁阿密 與Lucie, Tomas在同個網球俱樂部練球
最後一句XD Dlouhy又哭哭了
What are your best tennis memories?
PK: Obviously when I beat Venus it was a big moment for me, and I was very
happy with my win over Patty Schnyder at Zurich, because she is also a very
good and experienced player. Our Fed Cup win over Israel in April was
wonderful because Fed Cup is very important to me; I like representing my
nation. The whole experience was good for my confidence.
If you could improve one thing about your game, what would it be?
PK: My favorite shots are my serve and forehand, but I'd like to have a
better backhand. I'm working on it.
How will you spend the off-season?
PK: I hope to take a holiday - I don't know where, yet - and will spend
Christmas with my family in the Czech Republic. And of course I will practice
and prepare for the Australian circuit in January. This year I fell in
qualifying so I am looking forward to going back with a higher ranking.
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